Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA ES 20 016
The NIEHS SBIR Phase IIB Validation of Sensors for Improved Environmental Exposure Assessment (R44 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number RFA-ES-20-016) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) discretionary grant program designed specifically for U.S. small business concerns that already have a promising sensor technology and are ready to take the next step toward real-world readiness and commercialization. It sits in the SBIR Phase IIB stage, meaning it is not about basic invention or early prototyping, but about proving that a sensor system that was previously developed under a Phase II award (from NIH or another federal agency) can perform reliably outside of controlled lab settings. The overall emphasis is on practical validation work that builds confidence the technology is accurate, dependable, and usable for environmental health research and public health applications.
At its core, the program funds validation studies that demonstrate sensor data quality, tool reliability, and usability in real-world conditions. NIEHS is aiming to move environmental exposure sensors from the "promising prototype" category into tools that researchers, communities, and public health practitioners can adopt at scale. This includes showing that the sensor produces trustworthy measurements, continues working as expected over time, and can be deployed in environments where users actually need it, such as environmental epidemiology studies, community-based monitoring efforts, and other intervention-oriented public health projects. The intended outcome is to accelerate broader adoption and commercialization, so applicants are generally expected to be thinking beyond research milestones and toward product readiness, user fit, and pathways to market.
The eligible applicant pool is limited to small businesses, consistent with SBIR rules, and the funding instrument is an R44 grant (SBIR Phase IIB). The announcement explicitly states that clinical trials are not allowed under this FOA, so projects must be structured as technology validation and implementation efforts for environmental exposure assessment rather than clinical intervention studies. The activity focus falls under environment and health (CFDA 93.113), aligning with NIEHS priorities around measuring environmental exposures more effectively to support research and public health decision-making.
Eligibility rules also make clear that non-U.S. entities cannot apply. Foreign institutions are not eligible as applicants, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply. However, the FOA notes that foreign components, as defined under the NIH Grants Policy Statement, may be allowed in some cases, which typically means a U.S. applicant might be able to include limited foreign involvement if it is well-justified and compliant with NIH policy. Practically speaking, though, the lead organization must be a qualifying U.S. small business, and the project must be framed and managed as a U.S.-based SBIR effort.
Key administrative details included in the source information are that the opportunity was created on September 8, 2020, and the original closing date was December 4, 2020. The sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health, and the program is administered under NIEHS (the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences). While the provided listing does not specify an award ceiling or the number of expected awards, the main value of the opportunity is clear: it supports the critical translation step where a sensor technology is stress-tested and validated for real-world exposure assessment so it can be credibly used in studies and interventions and positioned for commercialization.Apply for RFA ES 20 016
- The National Institutes of Health in the environment, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIEHS SBIR Phase IIB Validation of Sensors for Improved Environmental Exposure Assessment (R44 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.113.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2020-09-08.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-12-04. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Small businesses.
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FAQs: NIEHS SBIR Phase IIB Validation of Sensors for Improved Environmental Exposure Assessment (R44; Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
What is this funding opportunity?
This is an NIH discretionary grant opportunity administered by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) to support SBIR Phase IIB projects focused on validating environmental exposure sensors in real-world conditions. The Funding Opportunity Number is RFA-ES-20-016, and the award mechanism is an R44 (SBIR Phase IIB).
What stage of development is this opportunity meant for?
This opportunity targets SBIR Phase IIB work, which is beyond basic invention or early prototyping. It is designed for small businesses that already have a promising sensor system and need to demonstrate that it performs reliably outside controlled lab settings as a step toward real-world readiness and commercialization.
What is the main goal of the program?
The main goal is to fund validation studies that build confidence in sensor data quality, reliability over time, and usability in real-world deployment scenarios. NIEHS is aiming to move sensors from a "promising prototype" into tools that can be adopted at scale for environmental health research and public health uses.
What kinds of projects does the FOA emphasize?
The FOA emphasizes practical, real-world validation work. Projects should be structured to demonstrate that the sensor produces trustworthy measurements, continues to function as expected over time, and can be deployed in environments where it will actually be used (for example, research studies and community-based monitoring settings).
What does "validation" mean in the context of this opportunity?
Based on the description provided, validation refers to demonstrating sensor data quality, tool reliability, and usability in real-world conditions. The intent is to show the sensor can perform reliably outside the lab and is ready for broader adoption and commercialization.
What is the expected outcome for a funded project?
The intended outcome is to accelerate broader adoption and commercialization by demonstrating that the sensor is accurate, dependable, usable, and suitable for environmental exposure assessment in practical settings that matter to researchers, communities, and public health practitioners.
Is this opportunity about creating a new sensor from scratch?
No. The program is positioned as SBIR Phase IIB and is described as not being about basic invention or early prototyping. It is about proving that a sensor system previously developed under a Phase II award can perform reliably in real-world settings.
Does the sensor need to have been developed under a specific prior award?
The opportunity is described as supporting validation of a sensor system that was previously developed under a Phase II award from NIH or another federal agency.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to U.S. small business concerns, consistent with SBIR rules. The lead applicant organization must be a qualifying U.S. small business.
Are non-U.S. entities eligible to apply?
No. Foreign institutions are not eligible as applicants, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible to apply.
Can a U.S. small business include any foreign involvement in the project?
The information provided notes that foreign components (as defined under the NIH Grants Policy Statement) may be allowed in some cases. Practically, the lead organization must still be a qualifying U.S. small business, and any foreign involvement would need to be limited, well-justified, and compliant with NIH policy.
What is the funding mechanism and grant type?
The funding instrument is an R44 grant under the SBIR Phase IIB program.
Are clinical trials allowed under this FOA?
No. The announcement explicitly states that clinical trials are not allowed. Projects must be structured as technology validation and implementation efforts for environmental exposure assessment rather than clinical intervention studies.
What scientific area does this opportunity fall under?
The activity focus is under environment and health and is associated with CFDA 93.113, aligning with NIEHS priorities around improved measurement of environmental exposures to support research and public health decision-making.
What types of use cases are mentioned for these sensors?
The description highlights deployment in real-world contexts such as environmental epidemiology studies, community-based monitoring efforts, and other intervention-oriented public health projects (in the sense of public health applications, not clinical trials).
What does NIEHS want to see demonstrated about the sensor in real-world settings?
NIEHS is looking for evidence that the sensor provides trustworthy measurements, remains dependable over time, and is usable in the types of environments and workflows where environmental exposure assessment is needed.
How does commercialization fit into this opportunity?
The opportunity is described as supporting a translation step toward broader adoption and commercialization. Applicants are generally expected to think beyond research milestones and toward product readiness, user fit, and pathways to market.
Which agency sponsors and administers this opportunity?
The sponsoring agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the program is administered under NIEHS (the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FOA number)?
The Funding Opportunity Number provided is RFA-ES-20-016.
When was the opportunity created and when did it close?
The listing states the opportunity was created on September 8, 2020, and the original closing date was December 4, 2020.
Does the provided information list the maximum award amount or number of expected awards?
No. The provided listing does not specify an award ceiling or the number of expected awards.
What is the core value of this opportunity for applicants?
The core value is support for the critical step of stress-testing and validating a sensor technology for real-world environmental exposure assessment so it can be credibly used in research and public health applications and be positioned for commercialization.
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| Pediatric and Reproductive Environmental Health Scholars (PREHS): Strengthening the Pipeline (K12 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA ES 20 007 Funding Number: RFA ES 20 007 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: $450,000 |
| Utilizing In Vitro Functional Genomics Advances for Gene-Environment (G x E) Discovery and Validation (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA ES 20 018 Funding Number: RFA ES 20 018 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: $499,999 |
| Outstanding New Environmental Scientist (ONES) Award (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA ES 21 001 Funding Number: RFA ES 21 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Application of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Advancing Environmental Health Sciences (R43 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA ES 21 002 Funding Number: RFA ES 21 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Application of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Advancing Environmental Health Sciences (R41 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA ES 21 003 Funding Number: RFA ES 21 003 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Immune Development in Early Life (IDEaL) (U19 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA AI 20 078 Funding Number: RFA AI 20 078 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Immune Development in Early Life (IDEaL) (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA AI 20 077 Funding Number: RFA AI 20 077 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Transition to Independent Environmental Health Research (TIEHR) Career Award (K01 Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 21 171 Funding Number: PAR 21 171 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Transition to Independent Environmental Health Research (TIEHR) Career Award (K01 Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required) Apply for PAR 21 170 Funding Number: PAR 21 170 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Transition to Independent Environmental Health Research (TIEHR) Career Award (K01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 21 172 Funding Number: PAR 21 172 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| SBIR E-Learning for HAZMAT and Emergency Response (R43/R44 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA ES 21 005 Funding Number: RFA ES 21 005 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| CCRP Initiative: Chemical Threat Agent-induced Pulmonary and Ocular Pathophysiological Mechanisms (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA ES 21 006 Funding Number: RFA ES 21 006 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Innovative Approaches for Improving Environmental Health Literacy (R41/R42 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA ES 21 009 Funding Number: RFA ES 21 009 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Innovative Approaches for Improving Environmental Health Literacy (R43/R44 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA ES 21 008 Funding Number: RFA ES 21 008 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Maintaining and Enriching Environmental Epidemiology Cohorts to Support Scientific and Workforce Diversity (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA ES 22 001 Funding Number: RFA ES 22 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Revolutionizing Innovative, Visionary Environmental Health Research (RIVER) (R35 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA ES 22 002 Funding Number: RFA ES 22 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Accelerating the Pace of Child Health Research Using Existing Data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study (R21-Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 22 138 Funding Number: PAR 22 138 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Accelerating the Pace of Child Health Research Using Existing Data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study (R01-Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 22 137 Funding Number: PAR 22 137 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| SBIR E-Learning for HAZMAT and Emergency Response (R43/R44 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA ES 22 004 Funding Number: RFA ES 22 004 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Research to Action: Assessing and Addressing Community Exposures to Environmental Contaminants (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 22 210 Funding Number: PAR 22 210 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Environment, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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